Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday May 16th 2024. Notably in car news today: Chinese carmaker Chery confirms its sub-brands Jaecoo and Jetour will launch in Australia in late-2024 and 2025 respectively, and BMW teases the long-waited hybrid generation of its M5 and M5 Touring high-performers, and more.
Chery to bring two brands to Australia, Jaecoo in late-2024, and Jetour in 2025
Chery’s Jetour brand is set for a future Australian launch
Chery is pushing to bring more brands to the Australian market, starting this year.
In the second half of 2024, Chery will launch the Jaecoo J7 rugged urban SUV in Australia as a more premium offering from the Chinese automaker.
And now, according to an Automotive News report, Chery’s Jetour brand, founded in 2018, will also come to Australia in 2025.
Jetour focuses on building premium crossovers and SUVs, with the very Land Rover Defender-looking T-X a possibility for our market.
Much like how BYD has several sub-companies, including Yangwang, Denza and Fangchengbao, Chery also has several different sub-brands on offer, including Exeed, iCar and Karry.
BMW M5 and M5 Touring teased ahead of reveal
A teaser video has revealed some of the design of the next BMW M5
BMW is getting closer to the reveal of its next-generation M5 performance sedan and wagon, teasing us with behind-the-scenes sketches and development of the vehicle.
What we know so far is that the upcoming BMW M5 will feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but the combustion engine fitted won’t be downsized as seen in the current Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance.
Instead, the M5 will likely use the same powertrain as the BMW XM – a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 mated to plug-in electrification to reportedly produce as much as 535kW/1030Nm.
But with all that power is also likely to add plenty of weight. Carscoops reports that the new M5 could weigh in as much as 2435kg.
Expect to see a full reveal of the upcoming BMW M5 this year, before it’s expected to go on sale locally in 2025.
Alfa Romeo announces last-in-line Super Sport editions of go-fast Quadrifoglio models
Only six Giulia and three Stelvio Super Sport special editions will come to Australia
Alfa Romeo has announced a special-edition limited release called Super Sport for the high-performance Quadrifoglio-spec Stelvio SUV and Giulia sedan model variants.
Pricing starts at $174,200 before on-road costs for the Giulia and $183,200 before on-road costs for the Stelvio, but there’s a catch.
Just six Giulia and three Stelvio examples have been secured for the Australian market, so if you’re interested you’d better get in very, very quickly.
What does the Super Sport edition include? Black brake callipers, adaptive full matrix LED headlights, 3D carbon-fibre interior finish, red interior stitching and black numbering all feature.
Unfortunately, power and torque is identical to the regular Quadrifoglio spec and will continue to be powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 375kW/600Nm.
“Watch this space”: Chery globally investigating the idea of a pickup
Chery is thinking about a ute for the future
Chery Australia’s managing director Lucas Harris has told Chasing Cars that the brand is “globally investigating” options for a ute.
“Currently, there is no [Chery] pickup available in any market, where you just tick a box and bring it [but] Chery globally is investigating what its options are and what development looks like, so it’s a case of ‘watch this space’”.
Reports from Carscoops in early 2024 indicated an anonymous source said a Chery ute was in development, but potentially under another banner of the global Chery business.
If confirmed, Chery would be bringing a ute to a hotly contested market here in Australia, as well as key markets such as South Africa and Thailand.
But with Chery now bringing an array of budget SUVs to our local market, a Chery pickup could target cheaper utes already in Australia, such as the LDV T60, GWM Ute Cannonand the Ssangyong Musso.
Jaguar to preview new GT with US concept reveal
Jaguar is cooking up a new electric GT car
Luxury automaker Jaguar is gearing up to reveal a new concept car set to preview a forthcoming electric GT, which will go on sale in 2025.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Adrian Mardell told media that the new sedan will be revealed in the US this year, reports Automotive News Europe.
To be built on a ‘Jaguar Electrified Architecture (JEA)’ platform, the model will be the first new vehicle to be revealed by Jaguar since it announced its plans to relaunch as a higher-end all-electric marque in direct competition with the likes of brands like Porsche and Bentley.
Mardell teased that the new brand-specific architecture will allow Jaguar to return to its roots, which he called “exuberant, progressive and bold”.
BYD Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid 2024 reviewed
Chasing Cars contributor Dylan Campbell’s review of the 2024 BYD Sealion 6plug-in hybridwas published, with Campbell finding the midsize SUV to be good enough to merit consideration against Toyota’s best-selling RAV4 Hybrid.
Based on his early drive, Campbell found the SUV made a strong first impression with sharp pricing, a robust list of standard equipment, impressively quiet engine, decent acceleration and EV range, as well as a roomy and well-appointed interior.
While he was mostly impressed with the overall package offered by the Sealion 6, Campbell did note areas of improvement such as slightly boaty handling, very light steering, a lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and a warranty capped at 150,000km.
Campbell also noted that the jury was still out on the vehicle’s efficiency claims until a full test is conducted when we can get the Sealion 6 into the Chasing Cars garage.
